Thomas Gresham

Who is Thomas Gresham?

Sir Thomas Gresham was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1604 and 1622.

Gresham was the eldest son of William Gresham and his wife Beatrice Guybon. Gresham was the grandson of Sir John Gresham, who was Lord Mayor in 1547.

On his father's death in 1579 Gresham inherited estates in and around Surrey, including Titsey Place. He was knighted in the Royal Gardens of Whitehall before the coronation of King James I on 23 July 1603. Shortly after, he was involved in a legal dispute with his sister alleging slander in connection with his inheritance of Titsey. In 1604 he was elected Member of Parliament for Gatton. He was re-elected as one of the members for Gatton in 1614 and 1621.

Gresham married Mary Leonard, the daughter of John Leonard, and their son and heir was Sir Edward Gresham.